You only have through this weekend to experience the delightful musical production of “The Baker’s Wife,” stunningly presented at Classic Stage Company through Dec. 21. If you had plans for this weekend, change them! You must experience this musical, which has everything a great musical should — a fabulous cast that can sing their a—s off, incredible music and lyrics, intoxicating acting performances, humor, and is just one of the most “feel good” musicals you will get to experience. This touching, uplifting show is playing at 136 E 13th Street at the Lynn F. Angelson Theater, so book it now! The production, with a book by Joseph Stein, and brilliant music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, is based on the film “La Femme du Boulanger” by Marcel Pagnol, adapted from “Jean le Bleu” by Jean Giono, and features an engaging choreography by Stephanie Klemons.
“The Baker’s Wife” tells the humorous story of a village in France that has gone without freshly baked bread due to the death of the village baker. Having freshly baked bread is what the villagers crave with an obsessive passion. When the new baker comes to town, an older man with a very young and beautiful wife, there is more than just his delectable breads and tarts to partake in and behold with admiration and wonder. This is a musical tale about realizing, when it comes to love, what is truly important.
Scott Bakula is absolutely incredible as Aimable the Baker. He has an amazing singing voice, and his character is sweet, naive, and charming. The chemistry between him and Ariana DeBose, who perfectly portrays his young wife, Genevieve, is truly something to witness — theirs is a special type of love, and a complicated attraction, that definitely gets put to the test. DeBose has a voice that will melt your heart like butter on a freshly baked piece of bread. They are joined by an extraordinary cast that matches their intensity, humor, and timing with deliciously funny performances. The cast includes Nathan Lee Graham, Savannah Lee Birdsong, Samantha Gershman, Hailey Thomas, Arnie Burton, Robert Cuccioli, Alma Cuervo, Judy Kuhn, Sally Murphy, Manu Narayan, Mason Olshavsky, Kevin William Paul, Will Roland, and Steven Rosen. All of their glorious performances raise your expectations and happiness to the top of the charts. Gordon Greenberg’s direction is seamless and so appreciated.
Every aspect of this production is combined tastefully, including the scenic design by Jason Sherwood, costume design by Catherine Zuber, lighting design by Bradley King, sound design by Jason Crystal, hair and wig design by Tom Watson, orchestrations by David Cullen, music direction and additional arrangements by Charlie Alterman, and music coordinator John Miller.
Make plans to see this “The Baker’s Wife” — you’ll thank me, I promise. Visit classicstage.org for more info.